July 1/11 19:54 pm - Upsets in 4-Cross Qualifying at MSA

Posted by Editoress on 07/1/11

Qualifying is supposed to be pretty straightforward for the top riders, with only some jockeying for start positions. However, the 4-Cross qualifying at Mont Ste Anne saw a couple of big upsets in the men's field, with world champion Thomas Slavik (RSP 4 Cross) crashing high on the course and Switzerland's David Graf, who was ranked second in the overall standings, not finishing. Graf has been sick all week, and then crashed low on the course, hitting his head and pulling out.

Jared Graves (Yeti Fox Shox) was again the strongest rider in the men's field, as he has been for most of the season. Joost Wichman (RSP 4 Cross) and Guido Tschugg (Ghost Factory) tied for second, 0.614 seconds behind Graves. Two Canadians qualified for Saturday night's final - Harold Woolnough in a very strong 18th place and Tyler Paksi took the 32nd and final spot. Alex Brancier and Peter-John Wegrynowski did not make it past qualifying.

The small, seven rider women's field was led by World Cup leader Anneke Beerten (Milka-Trek), who finished over two seconds ahead of Celine Gros (Morzine-Avoriaz/Haute-Savoie), with Great Britian's Katy Curd third. Anne Laplante was the only Canadian woman in the race, finishing seventh.